Catholic Guilt is a lively Tarantella sung by Rena's Nonna at a family dinner, intertwining humor and religious undertones to explore the weight of judgment, love, and family dynamics. The song highlights Nonna's strict views on relationships, especially towards her granddaughters, while revealing the inner thoughts of Rena and Gia, who navigate their desires amidst Nonna's traditional expectations.
Nonna:
O Lord, we gather here today,
In this blessed home we pray.
For my daughters, I hope and sigh,
With worry that they let time fly.
Rena & Gia (in harmony):
Let us breathe, let us be,
Why's the weight always on me?
Nonna:
Rena, you’re still alone,
By now, shouldn’t you have grown?
Where’s the man with strength and might,
To hold you close, to love you right?
Rena:
But my heart's full of dreams,
He’s my friend, or so it seems.
Nonna:
Gia, dear, it's just a phase,
You’ll marry soon, come out of haze.
A good man waits, you shall see,
To chase away these clouds, be free.
Gia:
But can't you let me find my voice?
Why can’t I just make my choice?
Nonna:
O daughters, where is your pride?
Family’s strength must be our guide.
Look at your brothers, bold and brave,
Their paths so clear, their love to save.
Rena:
Yet love’s a dance, not merely fate,
And holds more than what you state.
Gia:
Every heart does deserve to sing,
In its own way, my love takes wing.
Nonna:
Forgive me, my love's overflowing,
Just want to see my blossoms glowing.
Pray they flourish within their roles,
As wives and mothers, hearts of souls.
Rena & Gia (in harmony):
But we are more, don’t you see?
Let us choose who we want to be!
Nonna:
Shoulders straight, do not despair,
Life is hard, but God is fair.
He blesses strong men—yes, it’s true,
As good wives, stay loyal too!
Rena:
Yet love needs care, compassion, too,
Let my heart show the path I’ll choose.
Gia:
We’re strong, we’ll love, we’ll find our way,
Nonna, give us light of day!
Nonna:
So let this grace bring you near,
Feel my love, know that I care.
We gather, we pray, we lift (them) high,
With hope for future, never shy.
All Together:
For love transcends all that you see,
In family’s hold, may we be free!
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This song is in a musical, and the song is called Catholic Guilt. It is sung by Rena's Nonna, an Italian immigrant who is very religious and very judgmental, like most old-world Italian nonnas. Rena is a plus-size woman and is still single. Rena's younger sister, Gianella (goes by "Gia"), is also single, but she is lesbian. Nonna thinks this is just a phase and Gia will bring home a man someday. Rena is in love with her best friend, Cillian, and he is in love with her too, but neither knows it. Nonna really wants Cillian and Rena to end up together. The song is about Nonna making Rena and Gia feel guilty for things in life. She's incredibly judgemental and has a strong opinion about everything, but usually only directed at the women. Just like most old-world Italian Nonnas, she has a soft spot for the men in her life (Rena's dad, Rena's 3 brothers, and Cillian). The men can do no wrong. She gives back-handed compliments. Do not include names in the song. The song is a Tarantella and has an old-world Italian feel to it. Rena and Gia should also sing in this song, but they're not singing to Nonna; they are singing their thoughts and feelings for the audience. Nonna is singing this song at a family dinner while saying grace. The song should be her grace and mimic a prayer.
Old-World Italian